House Bill 1695 and Senate Bill 817 have been introduced to mandate public elementary or secondary schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans (CERP) or athletic emergency action plans (EAP), to respond to incidents involving an individual who is experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. Additionally, the bills will require all schools to have and maintain an AED on-site.
We need your help to urge state legislators to support critical bills!
Send a letter now to your State Delegate/Senator to support HB1695/SB 817 and stress theimportance of timely cardiac response to Virginia's students, families, and communities.
Despite
the government shutdown, ACC members met with nearly 300 congressional
offices, with some exciting early results that
highlight the impact of our collective efforts:
• 56% increase in cosponsorship for the CONNECT For Health Act in the U.S. House.
• 20% increase in cosponsorship for the REDI Act in the U.S. Senate; 4% in the U.S. House.
• 33% increase in cosponsorship for the Connected MOM Act in the U.S. House.
• The Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act has now secured majority cosponsorship in both the U.S. House and Senate.
FEDERAL PRIORITIES
The ACC leads at the federal level and is focused on developing
and advancing solutions to increase access, quality and value of patient care
and promote heart health.
Today,
Congress passed legislation funding Labor, Health and Human Services,
Education and Related Agencies through fiscal year (FY) 2026. The
package also included several provisions funding critical health care
programs.
I
would like to express my sincere appreciation for your unwavering
dedication to our advocacy efforts. Your active participation has played
a pivotal role in securing these important provisions, which represent
meaningful steps forward in our Mission to transform cardiovascular care
and improve heart health for all.
Key provisions passed include:
Extension oftelehealth flexibilitieswithin Medicare through Dec. 31, 2027.Key ask at Legislative Conference 2025!
Reestablishment ofin-home cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation services delivered virtually through Jan. 1, 2028.Key ask at Legislative Conference 2025!
An increase in funding for theNational Institutes of Health.Championed in congressional testimony by ACC President Christopher Kramer, MD, FACC!
Stability in funding for theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention.Championed in congressional testimony by ACC President Christopher Kramer, MD, FACC!
Authorization of support for state-basedmaternal mortality review committees through FY 2030.ACC’s Cardio-OB section played a key role in securing legislative support for this provision!
An increase in funding for research and awareness programs related tovalvular heart disease.
Your
proactive engagement has already helped shape policies that impact our
profession and the patients we serve. As we navigate the next 10 months
with this Congress, I am optimistic about our potential to achieve even
greater progress together. Let us build on this momentum and work
collaboratively to address other key ACC policy priorities.
Thank you again for your time and dedication to our advocacy work.
Sincerely,
William A. Van Decker, MD, FACC
Chair, ACC Health Affairs Committee
Virginia Chapter of the American College of Cardiology
